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No federal permit to keepAnomalochromis thomasi
Anomalochromis thomasi
Fishes › Cichlids (Cichliformes) › Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Anomalochromis is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae, containing the single species Anomalochromis thomasi, the African butterfly cichlid.
Care at a glance
Species-specific aquarium care
- Tank: At least 24 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 2.0 in / 5 cm).
- Water: Freshwater.
- Temperature: 73–81°F (range recorded for this species).
- pH: 6–8.
- Hardness: 5–12 dGH.
- Layout: Uses both the bottom and open water: give open swimming space plus cover near the substrate.
- Availability: Rarely or never seen in the aquarium trade; expect to source it from specialists or not at all.
Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.
Care guide
Species care notes
- Tank: a base of at least 31 × 12 in (roughly 19 US gallons); space needed is rated “modest tank”.
- Water: a fairly wide range, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, 73–81 °F, pH 5.5–7.5, 1–15 dGH.
- Difficulty: Easy (Seriously Fish rating).
Short excerpts from the species profile:
- Setup: “The aquarium should contain flat rocks to act as spawning surfaces and plenty of hiding places.”
- Diet: “Unfussy and will accept most foods.”
- Tankmates: “Very peaceful for a cichlid, but is territorial when spawning.”
From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167
West, Central and southern African river cichlids and tilapias
Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: African rivers, streams and lakes. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.
Housing & setup
- Kribensis and other dwarf West Africans do well in planted 20–30 gallon tanks with caves and neutral water.
- Tilapias and Serranochromis grow large and are often kept in ponds or for aquaculture.
Climate & lighting
| Water | 75–82°F |
Diet
- Omnivorous pellets plus frozen foods; tilapias need plant matter.
Health watch
- Several tilapias are invasive and regulated by many states; never release.
Understanding the animal
About this animal
About this animal
It is a small cichlid growing to a length of 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in). The natural habitat of A. thomasi is Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, mainly in smaller streams.
Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Anomalochromis” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174
In the wild
In the wild
From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.1
| Where it lives | Lives in freshwater. Uses both the bottom and open water. Prefers shallow and muddy waters in savannah-like areas, with water temperatures approaching 30°C during the dry season; also found in waters bordering forested areas; when stressed or disturbed, the species will hide in the mud, sometimes up to 30 cm deep; biparental, open substratum spawner. |
| Water it lives in | Freshwater, 73–81 °F (23–27 °C), pH 6–8, hardness 5–12 dH. |
| Climate | Tropical climate. |
| Behavior to plan for | Breeding: clutch tenders. |
What this means for care
- Keep water within its wild range, 73–81 °F.
Native climate (measured)
Native climate (measured)
| Warm-season highs | about 94°F (up to 96°F in the hottest sampled areas) |
| Cool-season lows | about 68°F (down to 65°F in the coldest sampled areas) |
| Average temperature | 79–80°F across sampled records |
| Relative humidity | 76–78% on average (driest month about 68%) |
| Rainfall | about 2695 mm a year, with strong wet and dry seasons |
Measured at 13 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.
From the sources
From the sources
Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.
| Overview | Anomalochromis is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae, containing the single species Anomalochromis thomasi, the African butterfly cichlid. It is a small cichlid growing to a length of 6–8 cm. The natural habitat of A. thomasi is Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, mainly in smaller streams. The fish are typically found in slightly acidic, oxygen-rich water with other West African cichlid genera such as Hemichromis and Pelvicachromis. — Wikipedia (community-edited) |
| Where it lives | Home ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase |
| Biology | Prefers shallow and muddy waters in savannah-like areas, with water temperatures approaching 30°C during the dry season; also found in waters bordering forested areas; when stressed or disturbed, the species will hide in the mud, sometimes up to 30 cm deep; biparental, open substratum spawner. Maximum recorded TL was 6.5 cm. — FishBase |
Data and studies
The numbers
The numbers
Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.
Adult length
Maximum recorded length. Measured as standard length (snout to the base of the tail, not counting the tail fin). Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.
Water temperature
Range the species tolerates in nature; aim for the middle.
Minimum tank footprint
Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 31 × 12 in (about 19 US gallons).
Sources for this sheet
- FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
- Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of aquarium fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Types and features of aquatic systems Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
- Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- iNaturalist (captive observations) Community referenceCommunity observation platform run by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic; observations marked captive show animals living in homes, zoos and aquariums.
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